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Birthday Girl

I like the idea of taking some quiet time to reflect on the Winter solstice. Only I always end up reflecting on my dear little Emmanuelle. Just like I see a hot Summer day in her little sister, I see that solstice in her. The deep, quiet reflection. The peace and hope of it.

Emmanuelle has always been quiet, kind, and gentle. That easy child who reads a lot and who accepts the rules her parents have set. The one who doesn’t say much but thinks deeply. And worries a lot. The transition to middle school was an anxiety ridden time despite my best efforts. New kids, switching classrooms, going to school on her own… Giving her a phone and showing her how to use the map in case she got lost…

And now, it’s like she’s always done it. She manages her school work like a pro. Even her first oral presentation when, just like her mother, she trembled the whole way through and spoke way faster than in her practices. She video chats with her friends, sometimes doing homework with them. They did a couple secret Santas amongst themselves. How cute is that! They’re a sweet bunch of hard working girls.

It’s comforting and not all that surprising that she’s found a tribe of kind girls like her. I’ve always thought Emmanuelle had a strength in her, the kind that keeps you from hurting others or yourself in order to fit in. Her confidence has grown and she shares her silly side with her friends as well as us. It’s so comforting to see her grow like this, even though we are now firmly ensconced in the tween years with all that entails…

All this independence yet she cuddles with me more than she ever has. So I still have my baby for a while longer…